CINCINNATI, May 21, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Gone are the days when slave trade ships made their sorrowful voyage from Africa to America. However, author Zilber Plair's new novel, Za-te's Odyssey (now available through AuthorHouse), plunges readers back into the shocking reality of what Africans endured during that time.
Za-te is the first-born son of Chief Zetebola Kasumba, leader of the Makalolo tribe. Chief Kasumba has taken great care to raise Za-te to be wise, brave, intelligent and well-spoken. Now, Chief Kasumba is proud to see his son starting his own family with his beautiful new wife, Kimba.
One day, slave hunters come to the village under the command of Captain Girard, who plans to trick the natives into slavery. He convinces Kasumba to let him take several of his people, including Za-te and Kimba.
As the Africans awake the next morning in Girard's camp, they find they are prisoners and are herded onto a ship set to sail for America. The women are kept separate from the men in holding areas, except for Kimba, whom Girard keeps for his own pleasures.
Za-te, heartbroken by his loss and confused by what he is experiencing, relies on the wisdom and intelligence he learned from his father and patiently waits for his chance to escape and find Kimba. Before he can find the right moment, the ship arrives at the American shore, and Za-te and his friends are sold into slavery.
Finally, Za-te sees his chance to escape and runs for freedom. He finds his way back to the slave ship on which he originally sailed and discovers Kimba still on board. It seems Girard, driven mad with his desire for this woman, has kept her as his concubine. Determined to rescue his wife and return to his homeland, Za-te must maintain his strength and courage for this final voyage home.
From the lush villages in Africa to the southern plantations in America, Plair crafts an enlightening and emotional tale of courage and complex human nature in this historical novel.
Za-te's Odyssey is Plair's first published book. He has also written several unpublished short stories.
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